During the 2016 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, Renault surprised us with an unusual turbocharged 2.0 liter engine of the previous generation Megane RS inside the Clio R.S. 16 concept. After debuting the said model, Patrice Ratti, Renault Sports Cars General Manager, said that Renault had actually been considering a small batch of road going models, and that he is just waiting for the approval of the executives.

The sad part is that his plan never pushed through, and it seems like it won’t happen again this generation because it is a bit too late considering that the new Clio will debut this fall.

What we can look forward to though is the Clio RS’s next iteration with a Megane RS engine that Renault is currently working on. According to automotive blog Caradisiac, they have been hearing rumours that the new flagship version of the supermini will borrow the automaker’s new turbocharged four cylinder 1.8 liter engine. Not only is this engine in the Megane RS, as it is also in the Alpine A110.

Renault Sport revealed that it will be unveiling the Clio RS16 in time for its 40th anniversary celebration. Considered as a rather crazy idea, teams from the brand worked on this concept car and in barely five months managed to come up with a working model. Part of the work was equipping the Clio RS16 with the turbo 2.0-liter engine that could deliver power at 275 bhp and torque at 360 Nm.

This same engine originated from the Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R. In order to utilize its full potential, the Clio RS16 needed to have suspension systems and a chassis that included solutions developed specifically for racing. Helping reinforce its claim as the brand’s most powerful road car yet is the body that is wider by 60 mm and its 19-inch wheels. The Clio RS16 has both the name and the color theme from the single-seater RS16 and marks the return of the brand as Formula 1 constructor.

On May 27, 2016, fans were given their first glimpse of the Clio RS16 during the Monaco Grand Prix. It was driven by none other than Renault Sport Formula One Team’s Kevin Magnussen. It was way back in October 2015 when the Renault Sport Cars head office conducted a brainstorming session where the concept for the Clio RS16 started to take shape. Specifically, it was Managing Director Patrice Ratti who met with the team to initialize new projects as part of the commemoration of the brand’s 40th anniversary.

Few years ago, Renault created the Monaco GP signature and applied it on the Laguna Coupe, Megane Coupe and Megane R.S. in order to pay homage to the Monaco Grand Prix. At the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the French carmaker unveiled a special edition of the Clio R.S. 200 EDC associated with the Monaco GP.

Offered as a limited edition, the Clio R.S. EDC Monaco GP will go on sale in about 20 markets including Japan and Australia, from the end of March 2014. The new edition will be easily recognizable thanks to the exclusive Pearlescent White paintwork or the special Platinum Grey as an option, while the black roof will be optional.

Moreover, the exterior features a front blade, rear diffuser, side protective strips, door handles, 17-inch Tibor or 18-inch Radicale alloy wheels and door mirrors. The rear spoiler is finished in black too, just like the hatchback shroud when a reversing camera is specified. The special Monaco GP badge is found on the bodywork’s lower protective panels.

The new Clio Renaultsport 200 EDC from Renault has an entry price of £18,995 to match the Peugeot 208 GTI (which boasts the same power). However, this means that it costs £2000 higher than the Ford Fiesta ST. Two models will be offered in Britain. Opting for the Lux option raises the price by £1000 over the standard price’s car.

It features added equipment such as an upgraded Arkamys stereo, electric rear windows, climate control, and Renault's R-Link infotainment system. Both models will also be offered with a Cup chassis pack for £450. It includes a 3mm suspension drop, a 15% increase in chassis stiffness, red brake calipers and Dunlop Sport Maxx TT tyres.

Additional options for the Renaultsport Clio are comprised of the second-generation Renaultsport Monitor telemetry system for £95 (offered for only Lux models), a set of 18-inch alloy wheels that cost £185 (which comes as standard with the Cup Pack) and metallic paint that’s priced from £495 (with Flame Red that’s priced at £595 and the iconic Liquid Yellow hue that costs £1300). The order books for the new Clio Renaultsport 200 EDC will be opened on April 8. In June, it will start to appear in UK showrooms.

Besides the new Clio, Renault also brought at the 2012 Paris Motor Show the all-new Clio RenaultSport 200 Turbo, a sporty version of its new hatch that promises to offer a racing experience with a low price tag. As you can see from the photos, the new Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo is an RS model through and through, showing F1-style front blade, new side sills, a new rear bumper with integrated air diffuser and a new rear roof spoiler.

Inside, the red colour is dominant but this is not all as the new Clio Renaultsport 200 comes with a sports steering wheel, aluminium-capped pedals, bucket seats with leather upholstery optional, multimedia system, system, touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth radio with USB connectivity, hands-free entry and starting, driver aids.

Climate control and parking sensors are also available as options. Under the hood there is a 1.6-liter engine delivering 200 hp and 240 Nm of torque (up 25 Nm compared with Clio III Renaultsport).

The last testing procedures are being done on the all-new Renault Clio RS. It will be introduced to the public this September at the Paris Motor Show. According to sources from France, this car will be powered by a new turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine with ‘at least’ the same 197bhp as the 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated unit as the current car.

The Nissan Juke is powered by the 187bhp version of the same engine. Insiders said that the Renault Clio RS will be available with the option of a new dual-clutch gearbox paddle shifters as standard equipment. The Mk4 Clio uses a new platform that’s wider and longer but will be available in just a five-door format.

It gets a coupé-like appearance due to its unique styling with bold ‘tucked-in’ side sections, big shoulders over the rear wheels and rear door handles concealed in the C-pillar. The new version is different from the current RS since it is based on the same bodyshell as the basic Clio. Renault considers the Mk4 Clio a crucial product.